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Jul 03, 2012Janice21383 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Before we toss demonic possession into the trashcan of history and move on, let's remember the present-day witchburnings in Africa (often indirectly sponsored by Western churches), not to mention the hysterical extremes of Islam and other religio-political systems. The definitive book on this topic is Aldous Huxley's The Devils of Loudon, which combines biting irony with vivid compassion. It is not, however, an easy read. Although published in 1952, it is written in the elaborate, 18th century style of Edward Gibbon. There are also two chapters on mysticism that may be skipped. No character is influenced by spirituality even slightly, except its victim.